Emulator Settings:
  • Use WIP1 Timing (ON)
  • Allow Left+Right / Up+Down (OFF)
  • Volume Envelope Height Reading (OFF)
  • Fake Mute desync workaround (ON)
  • Sync samples with sound CPU (ON)
All settings should be set already with SNES9X V1.43+ V9.
  • Aims for Fastest Time
  • Takes Damage for Entertainment Purposes (doesn't slow the run down)
  • Does NOT Aim for Best Ending
  • Manipulates Luck
"Here you D'OH!" The Simpsons: Bart's Nightmare was a game developed by Sculptured Software (which makes sense because, much like Mortal Kombat II, this game suffers in the sound department with SNES9X) in 1992 and is based on the television show, The Simpsons. With this little intro. out of the way, I'll try my best to explain what may catch your eye.
It starts off on the Streets where you must look for your lost papers (if you watch the intro before the movie you'll know why). On the way you'll find many weird things that only a nightmare could create (not that anything is particularly scary). I start off walking in the streets, to the right, and find one paper fairly shortly. I decided that the 'Bloodstream' level would be a better choice since I need to save the levels that carry two pages, rather than one, near the end to shorten the time it takes to find the papers (it becomes increasingly time consuming after every page you find).
The 'Bloodstream' level is pretty simple; you find a germ-like creature and you pump him fool of something?! and pop 'em until the 'Smilin' Joe Fission' guy appears in which then you are to collect him five times. To get him to appear, I believe, you must pop five germs, at the minimum. There is some luck manipulation involved to get the germs to appear in convenient places and the 'Smilin' Joe Fission' guy as well, so I'm able to keep momentum in a certain direction, as needed. That's pretty much it for this level.
Back on the Streets, you'll see that it takes longer to find the page. I choose the 'Itchy and Scratchy' level next from here.
The 'Itchy and Scratchy' level has different controls than the 'Bloodstream', it has different physics, it has different goals, and you are given a life gauge and lives. You're there to destroy all of the opposition to progress further. Well since I could have typically just been an android and killed everything boringly but I decided to do more WOBBLING! It isn't the kind where I'm waiting, it's the kind where I'm running from one point to the other (I do it rather sparingly so don't worry). I chose to mix up the weapons so that I don't just use the same one and that allows you see them all with their strengths and weaknesses. It's necessary to run back and forth to have the enemy appear quicker. In the kitchen area, I run to right and then to left when I kill Itchy (the mouse) so that I don't have to wait for him to throw the knife and then run after the knife and physically appear to be knocked off. That pretty much sums up this level, on to the street.
The Streets, again, but now it takes much longer to find the paper. I come across a mud puddle and if you jump in it it splatters everywere on you (if you are wearing the suit that Skinner is carrying, jumping in the mud puddle reverts you back to normal), I decided to jump on the last possible frame, although I would really call it jumping. You'll see a T.V. that bugs the crap out of you but don't worry, later on I... I chose the 'Bartman' level, which I feel is the most difficult one to manipulate.
The 'Bartman' level is where you are Bartman and you fly around with a slingshot and you destroy rockets, balloons, and hangliders. This level uses the same life gauge and lives as the 'Itchy and Scratchy' level does but it has much different gameplay/physics. What I tried to do, as I progressed in the level, was destroy everything as I went along without slowing down (you'll see I skip some stuff because it was either out of the way or unreachable). This level is pretty boring, to me, because it is repetitive and probably the longest level. The boss fights are pretty good, they're optimal. I skip Smithers because it takes longer to destroy him, and by skip I mean I let him waste his projectiles and he leaves, unharmed (I'm forced to wait for the 'boss' gauge to disappear before I can move on). Burns was probably the most time consuming since you can only hit him so much as he flies by. This level also had some weird occurances in which some obstacles appeared either on top of eachother or doublly (the krusty balloons are the ones on top of eachother and the rockets are the doubled ones) so I skip some of the rockets because if I destroy one I'll most likely be hit by the other one and also it would create a lot of lag to destroy them. That's it for that level, I guess.
On the Streets, I would have taken the skateboard (by jumping over the basketball you're given a skateboard) but it was always facing the wrong direction. I am forced to endure the jebidiah heads (I don't know anyone who has been able to jump over them countless number of times in succession until they leave you alone). The paper is even more time consuming than ever to find. I choose the 'Indiana Bart' level this time around because I'm at the point in which either level would be fine to pick (By the way, this level is a double page level meaning I'll get two pages for this one level).
The 'Indiana Bart' level is quite unique. You are Bart and he is like 'Indiana Jones' only less action-E. The controls are X, B, A, Y swing the whip in the direction of the button (X is up, B is down, A is right, and Y is left), R and L move the screen right and left respectively, and you move with the directional pad, in the direction that you want. I used the most optimal path I could find and tried to zip on through these levels (yes, there is another one right after this one) and some backtracking is necessary because when you step on some platforms it raises other platforms. There is a devil that appears but he doesn't do anything to me (he tries to poke you which makes you jump uncontrolablly in the direction he pokes you, usually toward a platform in which is ready to sink in and kill you). You, most of the time, have to progress the screen with R so you don't get hit by Maggie's pacifier while jumping and sometimes that forces me to wait a couple of frames. In the second part of this level, sometimes a green devil appears in which you cannot kill because if you try he lowers your current platform, killing you (he acts just like the blue devil, though). Oh yeah, the eggs you see are extra lives and since I don't die, I don't need them. That's all for this level, apparently.
Streets, Streets, Streets! Enough With The Streets! (I actually have to go through the streets one more time after this). I'm at the point in which I can start using certain techniques to make the paper magically appear (You can either pop a bubble-gum bubble on someones' head, works best with the old lady, or you can destroy the T.V. in the streets with a Watermelon seed. You can only do these once though). I chose to destroy the T.V. because it was faster (the bubble-gum bubble one proved to be much more time consuming) and in doing so I chose the level of 'Itchy and Scratchy'.
The 'Itchy and Scratchy' level, again, is different this time around. it is much harder because there are more traps like the giant Itchy (the mouse, again) who flings mousetraps at you and the giant Scratchy (the cat) who uses his tongue to trip you up. I use the plunger gun the whole way through this time because it is faster and more effective in the end situation. In this 'Itchy and Scratchy' level they introduce another enemy which is a soap bubble who grabs you and harms you. Lastly the boss is a furnace (I think) that spews fireballs at you but I don't let it do so. And that's the end of that level.
For the last time, I'm on the Streets and here I use the bubble-gum bubble because it was very fast this time. I also get to show you some effects, the kiss being blown (it turns from a frog back to human but if you're not a frog it just stops makes you spit. It doesn't slow me down because I have to wait for the paper to appear anyway) and the saxaphone's music note which makes you walk backwards. The level is 'Bartzilla' and is the last level I enter.
The 'Bartzilla' level is where Bart is Godzilla basicly. You possess the power to zap things with your eyes (A, B, and X buttons), burn things with a fireball from your mouth (Directionals of Up, Forward, and Down), and you can just stop by pressing and holding back. I tried to destroy everything that wouldn't slow me down and when it did I spread it as far as I could, you'll see where and when. There are Choppers, Tanks, and Jets that attack you and all of them require a different way to destroy them (Forward for the Chopper, B for the Tanks, and X for the Jets). At the end I am zapped to a relatively small size and that starts the other segement of this two page level. Here I am supposed to climb a tall building while avoiding all the stuff that the people are chucking out the windows. I also have to avoid a Butterfly Marge and by doing so I am to climb up the drainage-pipe of the building (when climbing up the drainage pipe you climb slower and if you stay there too long you'll either get zapped by a UFO or the screen will progress too far and end the level). At the top I face a Gorilla Homer (King Kong apparently) and I have to shock him with the left over juice I have from when I was large (If you use it too much you run out and won't have the ability to complete the level). After that the movie is brought to an end.
In the end I don't get the best possible ending because my score wasn't high enough, apparently. You'll just have to watch the movie to see what grade I get.
Again I was helped out by nitsuja with the movie settings, before it desynced while fast-forwarding, so thank you nitsuja. I'd also like to thank those who take/took interest in this movie: OgreSlayeR, Joe, and hero of the day. And then: Too_Bored, atro city, KaitouKid, and Rick even though they weren't apparent, I just want to thank them for wanting a run of this game. Also I'd like to thank those who viewed the WIPs but didn't comment on them, just because. Well, I guess that's all.
Suggested frames: 7254, 19777, 26964, 43647, or 46189.

adelikat: Good optimizations, and positive feedback. Accepting for publication.


TASVideoAgent
They/Them
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Posts: 15576
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This topic is for the purpose of discussing #1312: VANDAL's SNES Simpsons, The: Bart's Nightmare in 15:22.40
Former player
Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 524
Location: USA
I voted yes. The Bartman level probably being the highlight of the whole TAS. If you're still interested in Simpsons games theres Virtual Bart and the Itchy and Scratchy game.
Working on: Command and Conquer PSX Nod Campaign
Experienced player (614)
Joined: 4/24/2005
Posts: 612
I'll probably do Virtual Bart but not Itchy and Scratchy because I'm unfamiliar with it and I remember it being somewhat of a fighting game which are not all entertaining, only a selected few are (SF, MK, KI are good).
Former player
Joined: 8/1/2004
Posts: 2687
Location: Seattle, WA
What about Krusty's Super Fun House?
hi nitrodon streamline: cyn-chine
Experienced player (614)
Joined: 4/24/2005
Posts: 612
I think I'd go nuts trying to optimize Krusty's Super Fun House, so no, I'm not interested in doing the run.
Active player (406)
Joined: 3/22/2006
Posts: 708
Bartman has quite some remarkable super powers. Being able to fly is nothing new, and Superman could kick his ass. Still, being able to fire an infinite number of slingshot bullets with a speed rivalling that of a machinegun would make him very deadly indeed.
Twisted_Eye
He/Him
Active player (398)
Joined: 10/17/2005
Posts: 632
Location: Seattle, WA
Would it be possible to get some extra hits on Burns by shooting up a couple times before the time you actually start shooting so that the bullets are still on screen? Or is there a limit to bullets or some other factor I'm not thinking of? Either way, this was a pretty well done run! I never understood what the heck you were supposed to do on the streets, so I looked forward to watching this, and you didn't let me down
Experienced player (614)
Joined: 4/24/2005
Posts: 612
I never really tested that but I believe it would take just as many rounds of him flying back and forth even if that worked. Also it would be difficult to tell because he comes in the screen at a certain height based on your location and standing still just doesn't happen, you have to keep holding up and left to stay motionless. It also would be difficult to do that because when you hit the peak of the screen you no longer are able to do the flying up animation so it is difficult to say whether it would work well.
Joined: 4/29/2005
Posts: 1212
I hope you do a Virtual Bart run. You made this game look easy, hehe. I wish I had commented on your last WIP, but I was rooting for the run anyway. :3 I like the Music in the Bartman Stage. ;3
Former player
Joined: 8/1/2004
Posts: 2687
Location: Seattle, WA
Giving this a Yes vote. You made the boring parts interesting, and you made the interesting parts very so. Good job, champ.
hi nitrodon streamline: cyn-chine
Skilled player (1098)
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1139
Location: United Kingdom
Good job here, a yes vote from me. Having never played the game before i can't comment on optimization, however i can comment from a neutral perspective. The bloodstream level was fairly dull, i thought, however, the tempo of the itchy and scratchy level really got my attention and the entertainment level never really fell again Good game choice as well; colourful and fast-paced. You are right though;there are sound issues; the street music was kind of annoying as was the absence of music in the Bartzilla level. This never took from the run in any way. Great stuff. This is the first movie of yours i have watched and i look forward to seeing more.
Experienced player (614)
Joined: 4/24/2005
Posts: 612
Well thank you kindly, heh heh. I may make another run of this game with the same goal, not getting the best ending, and beat it even faster. I'm not sure how much better luck manipulation could be but I may find some things not quite right about this run.
Former player
Joined: 2/2/2005
Posts: 198
Er, I'm not sure if there ARE any sound issues to begin with...I don't recall there being any music in the Bartzilla level to begin with when I tried sucking my way through the game on rental ages ago.
Skilled player (1098)
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1139
Location: United Kingdom
Yes, that's what i was refering to. The Bartzilla level has no music and it would be nice if there was some. That's a game issue, not an emulator one.
JXQ
Experienced player (761)
Joined: 5/6/2005
Posts: 3132
There's an emulator issue as well. If you make a savestate before the Bartzilla level, then replay the movie but turn Volume Envelope Height Reading on, there are some more sounds (but still no music).
<Swordless> Go hug a tree, you vegetarian (I bet you really are one)
Joined: 11/15/2004
Posts: 804
Location: Canada
I saw your WIP of the first two levels and thought it was off to a good start. I wasn't expecting to see a completed run so quickly! Very well done. I totally got my butt kicked by this game years ago, so this is my first time seeing it beaten. Yes vote. BTW, I think you mean "Suggested frames." "Suggestive frames" implies that something sexually suggestive occurs on those frames.
TASing or playing back a DOS game? Make sure your files match the archive at RGB Classic Games.
Experienced player (614)
Joined: 4/24/2005
Posts: 612
Suggestive still works but for your sake and everyone who reads your post I changed it to Suggested.
Former player
Joined: 8/12/2004
Posts: 651
Location: Alberta, Canada
I'm going to vote yes to this. It's a game which I played (rented) while I was younger, and while I managed to collect all of the pages individually, the attrition required for me to collect them meant I never actually completed the game. Even though I am voting yes; assuming my memory serves me correctly, I believe it could be improved, possibly by a fair margin. I seem to remember the pages appearing at random as you walked around the street; meaning it would be possible to manipulate how much time you were forced to run around looking for the page. It might possibly be done by walking short differences left and then right. I say this not knowing if it's even possible, however I am almost completely positive that I have on numerous occasions beaten a stage to receive a page, and when I got back to the street there was another page waiting on the screen for me to jump on. That being said, the mini-games themselves seemed well done and aren't something that I see being improved upon by any noticeable margin. As for the heads. I just avoided them rather than trying to keep jumping over them. Also, I found Virtual Bart to have more enjoyable mini-games.
Joined: 12/28/2004
Posts: 210
Much better after the bloodstream level.
Player (89)
Joined: 11/14/2005
Posts: 1058
Location: United States
a difficult game just got owned with style. yes vote
They're off to find the hero of the day...
Player (86)
Joined: 3/8/2005
Posts: 973
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Nice Movie. It seems pretty optimal, and I was very entertained. Good work.
Post subject: Movie published
TASVideoAgent
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This movie has been published. The posts before this message apply to the submission, and posts after this message apply to the published movie. ---- [772] SNES The Simpsons: Bart's Nightmare by VANDAL in 15:22.40
Joined: 4/9/2007
Posts: 1
how do i see the movie Bart's Nightmare??
Former player
Joined: 10/1/2006
Posts: 1102
Location: boot_camp
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